Anti-obesity pharmacological agents for polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis to inform the 2023 international evidence-based guideline.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of anti-obesity agents for hormonal, reproductive, metabolic, and psychological outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to inform the 2023 update of the International Evidence-based Guideline on PCOS. We searched Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and CINAHL until July 2022 with a 10-year limit to focus on newer agents. Eleven trials (545 and 451 participants in intervention and control arms respectively, 12 comparisons) were included. On descriptive analyses, most agents improved anthropometric outcomes; liraglutide, semaglutide and orlistat appeared superior to placebo for anthropometric outcomes. Meta-analyses were possible for two comparisons (exenatide vs. metformin and orlistat + combined oral contraceptive pill [COCP] vs. COCP alone). On meta-analysis, no differences were identified between exenatide versus metformin for anthropometric, biochemical hyperandrogenism, and metabolic outcomes, other than lower fasting blood glucose more with metformin than exenatide (MD: 0.10 mmol/L, CI 0.02-0.17, I2 = 18%, 2 trials). Orlistat + COCP did not improve metabolic outcomes compared with COCP alone (fasting insulin MD: -8.65 pmol/L, -33.55 to 16.26, I2 = 67%, 2 trials). Published data examining the effects of anti-obesity agents in women with PCOS are very limited. The role of these agents in PCOS should be a high priority for future research.

Mapping the clinical practice of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine in oncology in Western countries: A multinational cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Many cancer patients seek adjunctive therapies to biomedical cancer treatments at some point of their disease trajectory. While acupuncture is increasingly recommended by leading oncological associations, limited evidence exists concerning the evidence-informed practice and adherence to current guidelines of traditional complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) practitioners treating cancer patients. METHODS: An international online-survey assessed the demographical data, clinical practice, and sources of information used by TCIM practitioners in Austria, Germany, United States of America, Australia, and New Zealand. RESULTS: In total, 404 respondents completed the survey, of which 254 (62.9%) treated cancer patients. Most practitioners were acupuncturists and herbalists (57.1%), had (16.8 ± 9.9) years of clinical experience and see a median of 2 (1, 4) cancer patients per week. Breast cancer (61.8%) is the most common cancer type seen in TCIM clinics. Adjunctive TCIM treatments are frequently concurrent with the patient's cancer specific treatment (39.9%), which is also reflected by the main goal of a TCIM treatment to alleviate side effects (52.4%). However, only 28.0% of the respondents are in contact with the treating oncologist. According to the respondents, pain is most effectively treated using acupuncture, while herbal medicine is best for cancer-related fatigue. TCIM practitioners mostly use certified courses (33.1%) or online databases (28.3%) but often believe that experts are more reliable to inform their practice (37.0%) than research publications (32.7%). CONCLUSION: Acupuncturists and herbalists commonly treat cancer patients. Most practitioners use TCIM as an adjunct to biomedicine as supportive care and use it largely in accordance with current oncological guidelines. PLEASE CITE THIS ARTICLE AS: Huemer M, Graca S, Bitsche S, Hofmann G, Armour M, Pichler M. Mapping the clinical practice of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine in oncology in Western countries: A multinational cross-sectional survey. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(1): 64-71.

Inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis to inform the 2023 update of the International Evidence-Based PCOS Guidelines.

CONTEXT: Insulin resistance is common in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Inositol may have insulin sensitising effects; however, its efficacy in the management of PCOS remains indeterminate. OBJECTIVE: To inform the 2023 International Evidence-based Guidelines in PCOS, this systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of inositol, alone or in combination with other therapies, in the management of PCOS. DATA SOURCES: Medline, PsycInfo, EMBASE, All EBM, and CINAHL from inception until August 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Thirty trials (n=2230; 1093 intervention, 1137 control), with 19 pooled in meta-analyses were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted for hormonal, metabolic, lipids, psychological, anthropometric, reproductive outcomes and adverse effects by one reviewer, independently verified by a second. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirteen comparisons were assessed, with three in meta-analyses. Evidence suggests benefits for myo-inositol or D-chiro-inositol (DCI) for some metabolic measures and potential benefits from DCI for ovulation but inositol may have no effect on other outcomes. Metformin may improve waist-hip ratio and hirsutism compared to inositol but there is likely no difference for reproductive outcomes, and the evidence is very uncertain for BMI. Myo-inositol likely causes fewer gastrointestinal adverse events compared with metformin; however, these are typically mild and self-limited. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence supporting the use of inositol in the management of PCOS is limited and inconclusive. Clinicians and their patients should consider the uncertainty of the evidence together with individual values and preferences when engaging in shared decision-making regarding the use of inositol for PCOS.

The changing clinical landscape in acupuncture for women's health: a cross-sectional online survey in New Zealand and Australia.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is a popular treatment for women's health. Several trials and meta-analysis have been published in recent years on key women's health conditions but it is unclear if this has led to any changes in clinical practice or referrals from other health professionals. The aim of this survey was to explore if, how, and why, aspects of acupuncture practice have changed since our survey in 2013. METHOD: An online cross-sectional survey of registered acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine practitioners in Australia and New Zealand. Questions covered the practitioner demographics and training, women's health conditions commonly treated, modalities used, sources of information and continuing education (CE) (e.g. webinars), changes in clinical practice, and referral networks. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy registered practitioners responded to this survey, with 93% reporting treating women's health in the last 12 months. The majority of respondents were from Australia (60%), held a bachelors level qualification (60%), and used a traditional Chinese medicine framework (86%). Most practitioners incorporated other modalities in addition to acupuncture. Most practitioners' referral networks were predominantly based on word of mouth for menstrual, fertility and pregnancy related conditions, with referrals from medical practitioners being much less common. More than half (57%) reported having changed their women's health practice in the past 12 months; just over a quarter of those who changed treatment (27%) reported it was due to research findings. The most commonly used sources of information/CE used to inform treatment were webinars and conferences, while peer-reviewed journal articles were the least commonly used source. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture practitioners in Australia and New Zealand commonly treat women's health conditions, but this is usually the result of women seeking them out, rather than being referred from a medical practitioner. The majority of practitioners did report changing their women's health practice, but peer reviewed academic articles alone are not an ideal medium to convey this information since practitioners favour knowledge obtained from webinars and conferences. Academics and other clinician researchers should consider alternative means of disseminating knowledge beyond traditional academic publications and conferences, special interest groups may assist in this and also help improve research literacy.